Director: Nanubhai Vakil; Writer: Chaturbhuj Doshi; Producer: Chimanbhai Desai; Cinematographer: Faredoon Irani; Cast: Mohanlala, Marutirao, Master Manhar, Master Bachu, Umakant Desai, Trikam Das, Miss Jamna, Miss Mehtab, Miss Khatun, Miss Devi
Summary: The first Gujarati feature is a saint film about
the life of Narasinh Mehta (1408-75), played by
Master Manhar. Known for his evocative
Prabhatiyan (morning hymns) and especially
for his composition Vaishnava jana to ('The
Vaishnav is he who knows the pain of others')
made popular by Gandhi, who also adapted
the poet's term Harijan (children of god) for the
nation's Untouchables. According to the writer
Anandashankar Dhruv, Vakil's film adhered to
the Gandhian interpretation of Narasinh
Mehta's work, avoiding e.g. miracle scenes.
The quasi-realistic sets were designed by
Ravishankar Rawal. Mohanlala played Ra
Mandlik, Khatun was Kunwarbai and Bachu
her husband, ]anma played Manekbai, Mehtab
was Rukmini, and Desai played the god
Krishna.
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